Postmodernism
Background:
The birth of the modern world was seen to be after the enlightenment/late 17th century. Science
and rationality emerged, the Agrarian Revolution freed up a labour force that aided the Industrial
Revolution.
The 20th century is the modern age. There was a decline in religiosity (secularisation), the
modern way of explaining things was through science and rationality.
● Weber: Capitalism breeds rationality and cuts to the chase - is profit being made? is this
beneficial to me?
Modern societies are infused with a sense of progress. We can reasonably predict a person’s
future based on their job and age. For example, a 69 year old is most likely retired, an 18 year
old is most likely in further education.
Best known postmodernists: Jean Baudrillard, Michel Foucault, Lyotard, Derrida on semiotics
(signs and symbols), Zygmunt Bauman on social policy and religion, Schilling on the importance
of the body and appearance and body modifications, Umberto Eco on hyperreality (we don’t
need to exist “avatars”).
Traditional grand stories/meta-narratives are rejected e.g. science, religion, communism,
capitalism, eco-narratives (e.g. global warming). Gone are traditional badges of identity:
nationality, area (Stuart Hall), age, class, gender, sexuality etc.
We have no real criticism of progress and development, that is just how society is - increasingly
ordered and specialised. The differences are in the end goals (functionalism, Marxism etc.)
Ongoing change is inevitable, it hasn’t stopped.
Capitalism is working in reverse. It is producing fewer jobs through downsizing, impacting global
warming, creating superbugs and dangerous drugs.
These changes are all so significant it is seen as we are in a new era/world. Predictability,
security etc has gone, things are now just relative. Boundaries only exist within imagination.
The traditional understanding of things such as jobs, age, gender and sexuality etc. are being
questioned e.g. teacher with a restaurant or cleaning job on the side = which social class are
they?
➔ Masculinity has changed
➔ Age of dependency continues to rise, it has been artificially extended
Background:
The birth of the modern world was seen to be after the enlightenment/late 17th century. Science
and rationality emerged, the Agrarian Revolution freed up a labour force that aided the Industrial
Revolution.
The 20th century is the modern age. There was a decline in religiosity (secularisation), the
modern way of explaining things was through science and rationality.
● Weber: Capitalism breeds rationality and cuts to the chase - is profit being made? is this
beneficial to me?
Modern societies are infused with a sense of progress. We can reasonably predict a person’s
future based on their job and age. For example, a 69 year old is most likely retired, an 18 year
old is most likely in further education.
Best known postmodernists: Jean Baudrillard, Michel Foucault, Lyotard, Derrida on semiotics
(signs and symbols), Zygmunt Bauman on social policy and religion, Schilling on the importance
of the body and appearance and body modifications, Umberto Eco on hyperreality (we don’t
need to exist “avatars”).
Traditional grand stories/meta-narratives are rejected e.g. science, religion, communism,
capitalism, eco-narratives (e.g. global warming). Gone are traditional badges of identity:
nationality, area (Stuart Hall), age, class, gender, sexuality etc.
We have no real criticism of progress and development, that is just how society is - increasingly
ordered and specialised. The differences are in the end goals (functionalism, Marxism etc.)
Ongoing change is inevitable, it hasn’t stopped.
Capitalism is working in reverse. It is producing fewer jobs through downsizing, impacting global
warming, creating superbugs and dangerous drugs.
These changes are all so significant it is seen as we are in a new era/world. Predictability,
security etc has gone, things are now just relative. Boundaries only exist within imagination.
The traditional understanding of things such as jobs, age, gender and sexuality etc. are being
questioned e.g. teacher with a restaurant or cleaning job on the side = which social class are
they?
➔ Masculinity has changed
➔ Age of dependency continues to rise, it has been artificially extended
